The use of PPE per CDC guidance is for a primary objective, which is to protect dental care professionals at RSN Dental PC and patients from infection. The CDC guidelines cover selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE to ensure safe practices when donning, using and removing PPE per CDC guidelines. This goal also improves patients’ safety. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, PPE is “specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials.”
According to the CDC, donning of PPE should happen before meeting with the patient. The PPE is designed to protect both the dental professional and patient by restricting direct contact and contamination of inert surfaces around the dental office. The PPE is taken off and disposed of carefully. Respirators are removed outside the treatment room. Dentists will perform proper hand hygiene after removing PPE per CDC guidance.
Dental professionals wear gowns first before wearing masks or respirators. Then, they will wear protective eyewear or face shields, followed by gloves. The combination of PPE used has implications on the order of placement. It is vital to follow the protocol for PPE per CDC guidance.
There are two main physical sides of PPE – contaminated and clean. Contaminated sides are generally on the outside. This part of the PPE has or has possibly been in contact with materials, body sites or environmental surfaces that may have been inhabited by infectious organisms. Clean areas are typically inside, ties around the head or neck and back of the overalls.
The order of removing PPE per CDC guidance is gloves first, then protective eyewear and face shields. Gowns come off next, and finally, respirators or masks. PPE removal should occur close to the doorway of the treatment space, not outside. The only exclusion is respirators, which can be taken off outside of the treatment room, upon closing the door. Hand hygiene facilities should be ready immediately, which should include a sink with hand hygiene products or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
PPE usage is an essential aspect of standard infection control precautions. Standard precautions assume that saliva, bodily fluids and blood from any patient is infectious. The use of PPE per CDC guidance and other infection control protocols is important to prevent transmission in dental and medical settings. The nature of the interaction between patients and dental professionals determine the use of PPE. Ideally, any procedure that is likely to generate spatter, aerosols, fluids, secretions or excretions require the use of PPE per CDC guidance, including gloves, gowns, masks, protective eyewear or face shields.
Outer protective clothing protects against contamination, especially when there is a risk of skin or cloth contamination. The same situations that require masks, gloves, and protective eyewear also need protective clothing. Examples include smocks, lab coats, aprons, gowns and clinical jackets.
PPE clothing should be resistant to fluids but not necessarily fluid-proof. Protection and comfort are both important parts of PPE per CDC guidance. The aim is to cover most of the regular work clothes. The two basic types of protective clothing are disposable and reusable, which must be changed if visibly contaminated at the end of the day.
Request an appointment here: https://rsndental.com or call RSN Dental PC at (347) 344-5806 for an appointment in our Staten Island office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Dental fillings are a common and necessary dental treatment for treating cavities and preventing additional tooth deterioration. They are fashioned from a variety of materials such as composite resin, porcelain, and gold. In this article, we will look at the advantages of dental fillings and why they are such an important element of maintaining excellent…
It is important to see your general dentistry office twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups and to make sure you do not need any procedures like a root canal. The cleanings will not only remove plaque that is building up on your teeth which reduces tooth decay, but this will also help prevent…
A dental cleaning is a simple and non-invasive dental procedure in which plaque and tartar accumulation is scaled away and the teeth and gum line are thoroughly cleaned and polished. There are several notable benefits of this preventive dental procedure that patients should understand. The benefits of dental cleaning include the ability to brighten and clean…
Dental veneers are a popular form of treatment used to address injuries that occur to teeth. In the case of workplace dental injuries, veneers are a great option to go with because they are versatile and long-lasting.When it comes to injuries that occur while on the job, it is important to know that worker's compensation…
Dental fillings are a common and necessary dental treatment for treating cavities and preventing additional tooth deterioration. They are fashioned from a variety of materials such as composite resin, porcelain, and gold. In this article, we will look at the advantages of dental fillings and why they are such an important element of maintaining excellent…
It is important to see your general dentistry office twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups and to make sure you do not need any procedures like a root canal. The cleanings will not only remove plaque that is building up on your teeth which reduces tooth decay, but this will also help prevent…